Water-tube boiler.



I PATBNTED APR. 2s 1907". J. F. SENT'ER. WATER TUBE BOILER. APPLICATION FILED QBPT. 1B, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, B Q

nrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. SEN TER, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGN OR OF ONE-HALF TO THE WALSH AND WEIDNER BOILER COMPANY, OF CHATTANOOGA,

TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE.

WATER-TUBE BOILER.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. April 23, 1907.

Application filed September 18,1906. Serial No, 279,006.

To all whom it Wtay concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN FLETCHER SEN- TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Birmingham, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in VVater-Tube Boilers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to water tube boilers more particularly of the vertical type, wherein a bank or banks of tubes connect upper and lower drums or headers, between which the products of combustion are circulated.

The objects of my invention are to provide a boiler which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and set, and which possesses greater durability and strength than boilers of this type in general use. To these ends I set or mount one or more lower drums in the masonry of the boiler casingand connect them by vertical tubes with upper headers or drums. Preferably I provide two lower drums connected by banks of tubes with two independent sets of headers which in turn are connected to an upper or steam drum. To increase the durability, I provide means by which the products of combustion are caused to act solely upon the tubes themselves, the boiler plate of the drums being free from exposure to the deteriorating action of the flames and the better preserved against corrosion or the injurious effects of unequal expansion.

It is a further object ofmy invention to mount the headers and steam drum so that they are free to move up and down in the casing responsive to the expansion and contraction of the tubes by which they are supported. This relieves all strain upon these parts which would occur were the drum or headers rigidly connected to the casing as is the usual custom. It also dispenses with the expensive bracing and girders necessary for the setting of the upper drum.

I further propose to use tubes that are of equal length and therefore interchangeable and to arrange them in single rows, each of which preferably connects with a single header, which is capable of independent adjust'ment relative to the other headers.

It is a further object of my invention to reduce to a minimum the difficulty and expense of repairing a boiler of this type, by designing the headers so that the tubes may be readily inspected and cleaned, and when desired, removed through openings in the headers normally closed by tube plates. These openings are oblong in shape and disposed so that two or more tubes may be simultaneously cleaned or withdrawn through one opening, thereby increasing the strength of the head and avoiding the expense of an increased number of joints. To facilitate removal of tubes, they are flared or spread adjacent to the header so that it is only necessary to cut them by a tool inserted through the header to enable them to be passed up through the openings above them delay or cost.

According to my preferred construction the steam drum is arranged between and above the two sets of oppositely disposed headers, each of which has an independent connection therewith, so that, in fact, each group of tubes and the header to which they connect are independent of the other sets. To brace and strengthen the drum where these headers connect with it, I provide each header with a wide flange which is riveted to the drum in a manner to offset the strain on the latter due to the weakening effect of the opening for the nipple connection.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved manner of supplying the feed water to the general circulation so that it will tend to deposit all foreign matter in the lower drum or drums, which are provided with blow offs, by means of which they may be readily cleaned.

My invention further comprises the details of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forthand described by reference to the accompanying drawings which. form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1, is a vertical elevation partly in transverse vertical section of a boiler constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a top view partly in plan and partly in transverse horizontal section. Fig. 3, is I an enlarged detail view of one of the headers, l showing the tube construction and manner I of connecting the heads to the steam drum.

and new tubes substituted without material J dividing it into Similar reference numerals refer to simi-- lar parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to the llustrative embodiment of my invention as disclosed 1n its preferred form in the drawings, the boiler is disposed in a vertical casing 1. which communicates at its lower front side with a fire box 2, in which coal, oil, gas, or other desired combustible is burned.

Behind the bridge wall 3, which is disposed in line with the front wall of the main casing, I dispose a drum 4 substantially semi-circular in cross section and provided with an upper flat tube plate 5, which is strengthened by braces 6 connecting it with the bottom of the drum. side by a partition 7 whichextends vertically and transversely of the boiler compartment equal vertical sections communicatmg at their upper ends over this division wall. A drum 8, similar to 4, is supportedbetween the rear wall of the casing and the other side of the division wall. The drums 4 and 8 extend transversely across the casing and are each connected by sets of tubes 9 and 10, respectively, with a series of horizontally disposed tube headers 11 and 12, respectively.

In accordance with my preferred construction, the tubes 9 and 10 are arranged in rows transversely across the tube plates 5 and in line with the flow of the products of combustion from the fire box, each row of tubes being connected to a separate and independent header 11 or 12. These several headers are each connected at their inner adjacent ends to a steam drum 13 having a deflector 14 therein and asteam outlet port 15.

Referring to the Figs. 3 and 4:, each of the headers is provided with a bottom tube plate 16 having a row of openings therein which are wider in diameter than the tubes. At their upper ends the tubes are flared or enlarged. at 17, so as to fit tightly in the openings within the tube plate, four of such tubes being shown entering each header. In the top of the header above each pair of tubes I provide an elongated opening 18 of suflicient width and length to enable the tubes beneath it to be readily removed or replaced. I prefer to dispose two tubes beneath each opening 18. To remove the tubes, it is only necessary to insert an implement through one of the openings 18 and cut the upper enlarged end of the tube so that it can he slipped through the opening in the tube plate 16 when the rest of the tube may be readily withdrawn as its diameter is less than the tube opening. The openings 18 are nor- This drum is supported on its rear mally closed by tube plates 19, having flanged edges 20 which interlock with the depending flanges 21 around the openings 18. These plates are locked in place by push screws 22, which are screwed through their centers and engage the header or preferably cross bars 23 mounted therein and disposed above and between the two tubes opposite its respective tube plate. The tubes and openings 18 nearest the drum 13 are so disposed relatively thereto that the tubes in being inserted or removed through opening 18 will clear the drum. By these means I lessen the number of joints in the header, reduce its cost, and enable the tubes to be more quickly inspected and cleaned.

To strengthen and brace the drum 13 I provide each header with an enlarged flange 24, which is riveted or bolted to the drum above and below the opening therein. The header is preferably provided with a circular flange 25, which engages a nipple 26 that forms the connection between the header and drum 13. In practice one end of the nipple 26 is expanded into the header before the latter is connected to the drum. It will be noted that the flange. 25 leaves a circular recess 27 between the central portion of the nipple and the neck of the header. After the header has been riveted or otherwise connected to the steam drum, an expander is inserted and the other end of the nipple ex panded against the opening in the drum. By the provision of this recess opposite the middle of the nipple, the tendency of the expander to spread the whole nipple when expanding its end into the header will merely have the effect of spreading its middle portion into the recess without enlarging its other end. This enables the nipple to be readily inserted in the opening in the drum therein. The result of these two expanding operations is to spread or bulge the middle portion of the nipple into the channel so that it acts to strengthen the connection of the headers to the drum.

The products of combustion which enter the casing 1 above drum 4, pass upwardly around tubes 9, and over the division wall 7,

then downwardly around tubes 10, and out to the stack through a 'flue 28. The circulation of the water follows substantially the same course, being introduced into the rear drum 8 through a feed pipe 29, which enters the drum at its upper rear side'.- The feed water will tend to deposit the heavier foreign matter in suspension in the bottom of this drum before entering the circulating pipes 30, which lead from the upper front sides of each end of this drum to the rear upper side of each end of the drum 4 and are provided with couplings 31. The water will pass directly from drum 8 to drum 4 since the tubes 9, which are exposed to the greatest heat, force the water to circulate upwardly from the latter drum to the headers 11 and drum 13, from whence it flows through pipes 10 back to drum 8. As the feed water enters the upper rear end of the drum 4, it becomes further heated and has a tendency to deposit additional foreign matter in the bottom of drum 4 before passing upwardly into the general circulation. This foreign matter may be readily blown off from the drum 8 through the pipe 32, and a similar blow-oil pipe may be provided for the drum 4, it being noted that as the water circulates its tendency will be to deposit all foreign matter in these two drums. For the purpose of clean out and inspection, the sides of the boiler may be provided with doors and 34 adjacent to the drums and headers on each side of the division wall 7.

' The headers are provided with inwardly disposed .flanges 35, which project towards the center of the casing. These flanges support a body 36 of silica clay or similar fire proof substance. The purpose of this body of fire proof material is to prevent direct action of the flames upon the steam drum, it being the object of my invention to so construct and arrange the boiler that no boiler plate is directly exposed to the action of the products of combustion, by which means I obtain an equal expansion of the metal in the drums. This is an important advantage, as by my construction the only parts of the boiler sub jected to the action of the products of combustion are the thin tubes 9 and 10, which are readily interchangeable, and as all boiler plate will be free from the deteriorating strain of unequal expansion and also the cor rosive or chemical action of the flames, the life of the boiler will be materially lengthened and its durability increased,

At their outer ends the headers abut against the top of the casing, fitting closely so as to prevent the escape of products of combustion, while not being so rigidly connected. thereto that they are not free to move sufficiently to compensate changes in length of the row of tubes connecting them with a lower drum. This arrangement relieves the headers of all strain due to unequal expansion of the tubes, and enables the several headers to adjust themselves as occasion requires. The steam drum and headers are therefore supported entirely by the tubes and are free to move up and down to follow the expansion and contraction of the tubes.

In addition to the durability attained by my improved boiler it will be noted that all of the tubes used are of equal length and are therefore iititerchangeable and of equal expansion. This latter point has the advantage of taking all strain, due to different expansion of tubes of varying lengths, oil of the header connection.

' It will further be noted that no girder of l l l l l l l the setting of this boiler as the bottom drums are securely supported in the bottom masonry, and as before stated, the upper steam drum is without support except such as is furnished by the tubes.

Though described in connection with a boiler having two banks of tubes and water drums, my invention possesses many advantages which are applicable to widely different constructions.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described an illustrative embodiment of my invention, but it may be understood. that it may be modified without departure from the essential principles which govern its construction and operation.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A water tube boiler comprising a pair of lower drums, rows of tubes leading upwardly from said drums, a manifold header connected to each row of tubes and disposed substantially horizontally and in line with the direction of flow of the gases, said head ers being juxtaposed and arranged in two banks, one above each lower drum, a deflector wall between the banks of tubes leading to said banks of headers, and a steam drum connected to the inner ends of the headers of both banks, said steam drum and headers being freely supported by said tubes.

2. In a water tube boiler, a lower drum, rows of straight vertical tubes, equal in length, connected to said drum, a row of juxtaposed manifold headers disposed transversely to said drum and each connected to a row of tubes, a steam drum to which said headers are independently connected at one end, and a casing surrounding said headers but leaving them and said steam drum freely supported from said lower drum by said tubes.

3. In a water tube boiler, a steam drum, a set of abutting manifold headers disposed below and to each side of said drum, said headers being connected at their inner ends to said drum and serving as a deflecting top wall to prevent the products of combustion acting directly on said drum, and two lower drums connected by straight tubes of substantially equal length to said headers, said tubes supporting said steam drum and headers free of fixed parts.

4. In combination with a water tube boiler, comprising lower drums, vertical tubes connected thereto, two banks of manifold headers connected to sail tubes and alnitting to form tight longitudinal joints, means to close the interstice between the opposite banks of headers, and a steam drum connected to and supported by said headers, of a casing open at the top and closed by said headers.

5. A water tube boiler comprising two expensive brace construction is necessary in l drums, means to circulate water between said drums comprising a plurality of vertically disposed water tubes, and juxtaposed manifold headers connected each to a row of said tubes and to the upper drum, said headers being free at one end to move independently responsive to the expansion or contraction of their respective rows of tubes and constituting the top wall of the boiler casing.

6. A water tube boiler comprising an upper drum, substantially horizontally disposed, substantially horizontal headers connected at or near one end to said drumand disposed transversely to and on opposite sides thereof, one or more lower drums,vertically disposed tubes connecting said lower drum or drums and said headers, and a boiler casing, said upper drum and headers being supported by said tubes free of fixed connection to said casing, and said headers being freely and independently adjustable at their outer ends.

7. In a water tube boiler, a casing, a steam drum freely supported at or near the top thereof, a plurality of oppositely disposed headers connected at their inner ends to said drum, water drums near the lower part of the casing, tubes. connecting the headers and water drums and removable through said headers without disturbing said casing.

8. A vertical water tube boiler comprising a casing, upper and lower drums therein, manifold headers independently connected at one end to said upper drum, banks of vertical water tubes depending from said headers and direct connected to said lower drum, said tubes being equal in dimension and disposed in line with the flow of the products of combustion, a vertical deflector wall between said banks of tubes, and means to cause the products of combustion in flowing through said casing to act directly upon said tubes and headers without coming into contact with said upper drum.

9. In a water tube boiler, in combination, an upper drum, independently adjustable manifold tube headers connected thereto an: disposed in banks below and on each side thereof, a body of fire proof material disposed between the inner ends of the oppositely disposed banks of headers and beneath said drum, lower drums, a row of vertical tubes connecting a lower drum with each header, a casing whose upper end is closed by said headers and fire proof material, which closure is freely movable responsive to the expansion and contraction of said tubes, and a vertical deflector wall between the tubes connected to each bank of headers.

10. The combination, in a water tube boiler, of a casing a bridge wall over which the products of combustion flow in entering said casing, a water drum seated behind and below said bridge wall and having its upper portion formed of a tube plate, straight in terchangeable tubes of equal length connected to said plate and leading upwardly through said casing, a steam drum, a plurality of manifold juxtaposed headers connected to said tubes and said drum and disposed below the latter, said tubes and headers serving to support said steam drum free of said casing, and means co-operating with said headers to prevent the products of combustion coming into direct contact with said steam drum.

11. The combination, in a water tube boiler, of a casing divided into two vertical compartments which communicate at their upper ends, drums mounted in the lower ends of each compartment, tubes connected to said drums and leading to the upper end of said compartments, two banks of independently adjustable headers, connected to said tubes, which serve to direct the products from one compartment to the other, a steam drum communicating with and supported by said headers and disposed above them, and means to pass products of combustion through said compartments without bringing them into contact with said steam drum.

12. In a water tube boiler, a steam drum, a tube header of equal width throughout adapted to be connected thereto and having an internally shouldered curved neck portion, integral flanges disposed above and below the opening in said neck and provided with bolt or rivet holes, and a nipple adapted to have its inner end inserted in said opening and expanded into engagement with the shouldered portion of said neck, the middle portion of the nipple being disposed between the edge of the opening in the drum and said shouldered portion so that it is free to expand laterally during the expanding operation.

13. In a water tube boiler, a steam drum, a header connected thereto having an opening at one end adapted to receive a nipple, an internal annular flange in said header spaced a short distance inwardly from the end of the opening, a nipple adapted to be inserted and have its end expanded against said flange, flanges integral with said header and of equal width therewith by which it is connected to said drum, and an opening in said drum in which the other end of said nipple is expanded, a free expanding space being provided between the said shoulder and drum for the intermediate portion of the nipple.

14. In a water tube boiler, a horizontal drum, a plurality of horizontal tube headers disposed below and to one side of said drum and having curved neck portions at one end which abut at their side edges and are provided with flanges disposed above and below the openings in said neck, and bolt or rivet openings therein by means of which they are adapted to be connected to said drum.

IIO

15. In a water tube boiler, a drum, and a a body which protects said drum from ex- 10 plurality of tube headers connected with said drum and arranged side by side with straight abutting side edges which make a close joint throughout their entire length, said headers being provided with abutting flanged extensions having apertures which receive the rivets or bolts for fastening them to said drumand with shoulders to receive posure to the products of combustion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit' nesses.

JOHN F. SENTER. WVitnesses W. H. MOORE,

NORNIE WELsI-I. 

